Carrier Integration and Cross-docking Most companies which look to third-party logistics providers (3PL) require them to fill in a gap in their supply chain by providing a number of services – finding trucks, finding the drivers needed, finding available warehousing, or even tracking down more specialized logistic resources such as dock work, pick-and-pack facilities, climate-controlled reefers, or storage trailers. The extent to which a company interfaces with a third-party logistics firm depends on a number of factors. Some companies have relatively simple freight distribution needs and so can rely on an independent freight broker or agent to make the straightforward arrangements – for example, to get the company’s freight included in a consolidated shipment carried between hubs by a less-than-load (LTL) carrier. Other companies require a guarantee of more dynamic freight handling facilities and so devolve a large part of their supply chain management to a fully-integrated third-party logistics supplier. In either case the 3PL provider has some discretionary power over exactly where and how the freight is shipped – provided of course that they deliver on the promises of their contract. Many 3PLs make use of trucking industry contacts and large-scale industry-grade opportunities and methods which allow them to deliver significant economies to scale to freight-shipping customers – which is of course why 3PL providers are hired in the first place. Independent freight agents and brokers may make use of the same advantages – in fact in most cases a large 3PL provider will incorporate physical assets such as motor trucks, drivers needed and warehousing with front-end customer-relations staff and administration, so that no additional liaison is required between the means of freight distribution and the senders and recipients of the freight itself. However it is often necessary for third-party logistics to outsource technical and specialist requirements to other firms, or to establish intercompany relationships which allow different firms to take advantage of unique freight transport assets and industrial specializations. For example, an LTL carrier may interface with a linehaul or full-truckload (FTL) carrier in order to meet specific freight requirements or to reduce costs. This is common along long-distance freight lanes which are heavily used for many different grades of motor freight, from consolidated small shipments to large heavy shipments, as it requires no variation from the common truck routes for the FTL carrier and ends at an accessible breakbulk hub. LTL carriers may be used to shipping freight shorter distances and employing long-distance full-load carriers allows the load to be unloaded and reloaded only once during the trip, which reduces damage and the chance of loss, and increases security.